The Daily Dish

Billie Jean King will not attend Friday’s opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics in Russia because her mother is ill.

King, who was selected to help lead the U.S. delegation to the Games, has been outspoken in her opposition to Russia’s anti-gay law. She also planned to attend ice hockey and figure skating events and meet U.S. athletes during her three-day visit to the Games.

The White House announced Wednesday that former U.S. hockey player Caitlin Cahow, originally scheduled for the closing ceremony, will take King’s place.

King told the Associated Press that because of her mother’s “failing health, I will not be able to join the U.S. presidential delegation at this week’s opening ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics.”

Betty Moffitt, her 91-year-old mother, lives in Arizona and has been ill for some time. King will be joined by her brother, Randy Moffitt, a former pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.

Lucas museum rejected

The stewards of national park land at the base of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge rejected a museum proposal by “Star Wars” creator George Lucas.

The Presidio Trust’s seven-member board voted unanimously Monday against Lucas’ plan and two others that were under consideration for an 8-acre site overlooking San Francisco Bay, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The site has been leased to a sports retailer, the Sports Basement, since 2004.

The trust, however, said it would work with Lucas to find another site for his museum within the park.

“We simply do not believe any of the projects would be right for this location,” board Chairwoman Nancy Hellman Bechtle said at a news conference. “We didn’t think any of them quite hit the mark.”

LeBron gets TV series

LeBron James is no stranger to getting the green light to shoot, but this time it’s for a scripted comedy series set in the world of professional basketball.

Starz network is giving the go-ahead his sitcom, “Survivor’s Remorse.”

The Miami Heat star will serve as an executive producer of the half-hour show. He will team with Tom Werner, a force behind series such as “The Cosby Show” and “Roseanne.” Actor-writer Mike O’Malley will also be an executive producer.

The story follows Cam Calloway, a basketball phenom in his early twenties who is thrust into prominence after signing a multimillion-dollar contract with a pro team in Atlanta.

The series will shoot in Atlanta. Its six-episode first season airs this fall.

Rockettes go LED

The Radio City Rockettes are promising an electrifying new performance.

The high-kicking precision dance troupe has been outfitted with LED-illuminated jackets.

A number called “Electricity” is featured in Radio City’s “Hearts and Lights” show.